TVB’s “Outbound Love”: Say Goodbye to Heavy Taste
Tired of rape scenes, unnecessary character deaths, and “heavy taste” TVB dramas in general? If that is the case, maybe TVB’s Outbound Love <單戀雙城> will be a drama worthy of attention.
The new TVB comedy is all about young love, romantic scenery, and refreshing characters. Granted, Outbound Love’s teaser trailer at last year’s TVB Sales Presentation event attracted the least attention from sponsors and fans, but amidst Hong Kong’s high-stress working environment and tight, urban surroundings, this carefree and relaxing television show may become a welcome change.
Outbound Love’s refreshing lineup includes Ruco Chan (陳展鵬), Aimee Chan (陳茵媺), Lin Xiawei (林夏薇),Tony Hung (洪永城), Matt Yeung (揚明), Elaine Yiu (姚子羚), and Samantha Ko (高海寧). The young stars are involved in an international romance that spans from Hong Kong to Malaysia. Several Malaysian celebrities, including 2013 Miss Chinese International first runner-up, Denise Tan (陳楚寰) of Kuala Lumpur, will guest star in the serial.
A Refreshing Start
Aside from the critically-acclaimed Ruco Chan, a majority of the stars in Outbound Love are either new faces or inexperienced younger actors. Aimee Chan takes her first stab as a leading actress in Outbound Love as a travel agent, who escapes to Malaysia after her boyfriend, portrayed by Matt Yeung, heartlessly breaks up with her. In Malaysia, Aimee meets the playboy Ruco, a famous music producer in disguise as a tour guide. Like Aimee, Ruco also went to Malaysia to escape from a hurt relationship. Aimee initially disliked Ruco due to his overly flirtatious nature and playful words, but the unlikely couple quickly fell in love. A triangle relationship ensues when the pair returns to Hong Kong. Matt regrets his choice for leaving Aimee, and decides to win Aimee back.
In another story arc, a stern dessert chef, portrayed by Tony Hung, is struggling to find the right words in confessing his love to his best friend, Aimee. His student, portrayed by Lin Xiawei, initially has a crush on Ruco, but after spending time with Tony, she learned to admire Tony’s professionalism and drive.
Outbound Love is Tony’s first television drama. Tony is known for hosting a variety of travelogues for i-Cable. Although Tony has not had much acting experience prior to Outbound Love, his onscreen charisma and adaptability talent can greatly benefit his performance.
The romantic comedy series will be supported with a strong veteran cast, including Elliot Ngok (岳華), Amy Fan (樊亦敏), Benz Hui (許紹雄), Ching Hor Wai (程可為), Law Lok Lam (羅樂林), Mary Hon (韓馬利), and Helen Ma (馬海倫). Produced by new producer Fong Chun Chiu (方駿釗), the script of Outbound Love is supervised by Chan Ching Yee, best known for co-writing the Rosy Business <巾幗梟雄> franchise and Bottled Passion <我的如意狼君>.
Source: kuangaitvb.com
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
Sounds an interesting drama!
I can’t wait to see how the Malaysian celebrities act out, especially Denise Tan. She was my favourite in MCVP this year!:D
I meant MCIP:/
Yeah me too! She deserved to be first place!
Exactly! Denise was outstanding that night
I wished they replaced Aimee with Lin xia Wei, I think she has more potential. All guys falling for Aimee huh? So where does uncle Moses fit in?
I don’t like either of them.
Sounds boring
Just by looking at the casts and the trailer of this series, this will be a boring drama. As well, having Aimee as lead will destroy this series. come on! she can’t act.
Ruco’s position in TVB reminds me of Steven Ma. A solid actor that’s paired with mediocre female leads, 3rd or 4th line artists and given a not so memorable script. But I should have known this would happen when he signed his 8 year contract with TVB.
agree! hope tvb won’t make him pair with eliza or christine next as their raw acting will bring ruco down. rebecca zhu too. but not surprise if tvb will do this since ruco’s popularity will be good to promote the newbies but unfair for ruco. he deserves a good partner and not just being used to promote aimee, priscilla, lin xia wei and who’s next? eliza? christine? rebecca?
On the bright side, it means they’re both good enough to helm a series by themselves. Meanwhile, some actors need a strong female lead to support them.
that reminds me. if wayne paired with a weak actress in rosy business and not sheren, i doubt the series will succeed and wayne got his breakthrough. he need to thank sheren too. imagine if it was flora chan in that role.
if aimre suddenly makes a good pairig with ruco, she needs to thank ruco for it
@Sel_fi_wu: what you have said was pretty much true, but Wayne has the real talent for acting just like Sheren. What Wayne need was luck, he eventually doesn’t have it back then because TVB was so into males looks and appearances (which they still do today). When 2 talented artists pairing together (I mean Sheren & Wayne) & with their strong chemistry, this will of course increase his luck. So having a strong partner does affect the whole series. Having a weak actress in the so call Rosy Business 3 and without Wayne-Sheren being paired up, it will not be as successful as the real Rosy business 1 & 2.
Ruco clarified in a radio interview last year that he didn’t sign an 8 yr. contract. But I do think tbb is unfair to him by pairing low level actresses. They make use of his popularity and solid acting skills to lead newbies. He should be rewarded what he deserves!
I had no idea he clarified it on the radio. Thank you for the correction. Do you happen to know how long his contract is?
No idea. He just said he’s not in early 20’s and 8 yrs wasn’t suitable for him. I remember he said this last summer when promoting NGEW. It’s better be a shorter one since tbb isn’t treating him fairly.
Sounds like a taiwanese drama. Has anyone noticed Lin xiawei is always in the same series as Matt Yeung?
storyline sounds fresh and young for a tvb series and ruco is a greatness guarantee! but dislike all the female leads. feel bad for ruco for having to pair with low level female leads. at his status ruco should be paired with fadans such as myolie or fala. won’t be surprised if later tvb pair him with newbies such as eliza or christine.unfair for ruco!
as long as he gets paid
You never know how the pairings will end up. There could be great chemistry.
Agree with you Bing San.
I thought they would film this in Kuala Lumpur if they want beautiful sceneries. I think they filmed the trailer in Penang. Too bad, was kinda hoping I’d stumble across their set 😉
Sounds unnecessarily complicated. Not sure if I want to watch this.
Seems pretty decent but as always the former best deal’s girl toy ruined this for me 🙁
OMG, can’t they just pair Ruco Chan with better actresses???? Aimee Chan a lead already? Gosh….awwww
TVB is using Aimee as female lead because she is dating Moses. TVB then wants to boost her up, but you guys might know she can not act. Just because of Moses her popularity increased, if she was not with him, I think she will be like other actresses. Most of the talented ones are not being recognized at all. TVB is so unfair
Ruco is why I want to watch this. Aimee is why I do not want to watch this…
@xin: Same theory as you to Rosy Business 3. Wayne is the main reason why I want to watch it. Myolie Wu and Sire Ma is why I do not want to watch
Watching this for Elaine! 🙂
I remember the new producer Fong Chun Chiu is a Director of Ruse of Engagement and he said he chose to pair up Ruco and Aimee because he thinks they had good chemistry on screen.
in Ruse of Engagement Aimee was still a newbie but after “Master of Play” I think she was good. Let’s wait and see and I am so looking forward this love story!
The only thing I find appealing about this series is the scriptwriter being a cowriter of RB and BP.
Seriously Amiee Can’t Act!! So annoying!
Yes!!! She is so annoying!!! She needs to go for proper acting lessons.